Some more useful resources

We've been posting various articles, books, and other sources of information on Venice, tourism, and the economy. The following three resources are useful for studying up on Venice, especially the acqua alta and its impact on the society and economy of Venice.

The Science of Saving Venice
By Caroline J. Fletcher and Jane Da Mosto

This book is an excellent resource of information on the current situation in the Venetian lagoon. Focusing on modern issues, such as flood barriers and local policy, it seeks to explain the urgent need to find a useful solution within the next hundred years. They predict that the city's flooding situation will continue to worsen, as was exemplified by the Great Flood of 1966, and that action must be taken immediately to save the city from its surroundings.

New Approaches to Sustainable Hazard Management in Venice
By Edmund Penning-Rowsell, Peter Winchester, and John Gardiner
(Note: Clicking on the link will connect you to JSTOR. You will need to log in to view the complete file.)

This 1998 article is a selection from The Geographical Journal. Its main focus is a proposed two-phase project that would be implemented over the next 50 years. According to the authors, the plan of mobile barriers is insufficient to save Venice from flooding. Instead, a long-term plan of surveys and analysis, along with short-term temporary flood-proofing systems is the most sustainable method of saving the city.

Lonely Planet: Venice
By Damon Simonis

This book is at first glance a tourist guide. While it does in fact contain in-depth listings of restaurants, tours, events, and attractions, the first few sections provide concise information on the city. Touching on culture, history, economy, and politics, Simonis provides editorial insight on some of the social issues facing Venetians today. This is a good read for someone looking for good tidbits of information about the city, without getting too in-depth or lost in professional jargon.